Hungary finally ratifies Sweden’s Nato accession

BUDAPEST/STOCKHOLM – Hungary on Feb 26 ratified Sweden’s Nato accession, clearing the last hurdle before the historic step by the Nordic country, whose neutrality lasted through two world wars and the simmering conflict of the Cold War.

The Hungarian Parliament’s vote passed after a visit by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Feb 23 during which the two countries signed an arms deal.

The move ends months of delays to complete Sweden’s security policy shift.

Ahead of the parliamentary vote, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Parliament on Feb 26 that Swedish-Hungarian defence cooperation and Sweden’s accession to Nato would strengthen Hungary’s security.

Stockholm abandoned its non-alignment policy for greater safety within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

With Sweden following Finland into Nato, becoming its 32nd member, Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively achieved the very thing he sought to avert when he launched his war in Ukraine – an expansion of the alliance – Western leaders have said.

While Finland joined Nato in 2023, Sweden was kept waiting as Turkey and Hungary, which both maintain better relations with Russia than other members of the US-led alliance, raised objections.

Turkey withheld ratification on Sweden’s membership, demanding tougher action against militants from the Kurdistan Workers’ party it said had made a home in Sweden.

Sweden changed its laws and relaxed rules over arms sales to assuage Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also linked ratification with US approval of sales of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

Now, Ankara will be expecting the US to work on securing Congress’ endorsement.

Hungary’s foot-dragging was less clear in nature with Budapest mostly venting its ire over Swedish criticism of the direction of democratic development under nationalist prime minister Mr Orban rather than any concrete demands. Turkey’s signature left Hungary as the final hold-out, with Mr Orban facing pressure from Nato allies to fall in line.

The accession of Sweden, which has not been at war since 1814, and Finland is the most significant expansion of the alliance since its move into Eastern Europe in the 1990s.

While Sweden has ramped up cooperation with the alliance in recent decades, contributing to operations in places such as Afghanistan, its membership is set to simplify defence planning and cooperation on Nato’s northern flank.

Sweden also brings resources such as cutting-edge submarines tailored to Baltic Sea conditions and a sizeable fleet of domestically produced Gripen fighter jets into the alliance.

It is hiking military spending and should reach Nato’s threshold of 2 per cent of gross domestic product in 2024. REUTERS